Two suspects with 1289kg of smuggled Kendu leaves held in Keeramundalama, Kalpitiya

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the beach and sea areas of Keeramundalama in Uchchamunai, Kalpitiya in the dark hours of 20th January 2025 led to the seizure of 1289kg (wet weight) of smuggled Kendu leaves. During this operation, the Navy also apprehended 02 suspects as well as a dinghy, 02 traditional boats and 02 tractors used for this racket.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal areas of the island, with a view to prevent the influx of a wide range of illegal items into the island.

As an extension of these efforts, the search operation was mounted by the Naval Detachment Uchchamunai belonging to SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command in the beach and sea areas of Keeramundalama. The search led to the inspection of a suspicious dinghy which had been loaded with 21 sacks of Kendu leaves weighing about 654kg (wet weight), at the beach. Accordingly, a suspect in connection to the incident, the dinghy with the consignment of Kendu leaves were taken into naval custody. In addition, naval personnel also held two tractors, suspected to have been made ready at the beach to fetch away Kendu leaves.

In another operation carried out in the sea area of Keeramundalama by SLNS Vijaya deploying naval craft, on the sidelines of the above search, resulted in the interception of two traditional boats with about 635kg (wet weight) of Kendu leaves in 18 sacks. The operation also led to the apprehension of a suspect in connection to the incident.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Kalpitiya and Mandalkuda, from 33 to 43 years of age. The 02 suspects, Kendu leaves, dinghy, 02 traditional boats and 02 tractors will be handed over to the Excise Special Unit of Northwestern Province for onward legal action.